Public Bill Committee

[Mr. John Bercow in the Chair]

Clause 1

Sustainability of local communities

Amendment proposed [14 March]: No. 2, in page 1, line 4, leave out subsection (2).—[Mr. Woolas.]

Nick Hurd: I beg to move, That the debate be now adjourned.
It might be appropriate to place on record a statement of confidence that this time next week, when we hope to meet again, the Committee will begin to function properly and debate the Bill in a serious manner. The reason for adjourning the debate is that negotiations with the Government are ongoing; they are being conducted in an increasingly constructive manner, and we are confident that next week we will be able to engage with the Government.

Jeremy Corbyn: It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Bercow. I support the hon. Gentleman’s motion. I hope that the Minister, who is not here, will have heard that negotiations about the fate of the Bill are going on. One hopes that they will be decided positively in a week’s time. The issue of sustainable communities cannot be delayed for ever in arcane negotiations, which can be conducted only in an unsustainable manner. If sustainability is the order of the day, let us sustain ourselves to resolve the issue in a week’s time.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved,

That the Committee at its rising this day do adjourn till Wednesday 25th April at Ten o’clock, and that it do meet thereafter—
(a) on Wednesday 25th April at Two o’clock; and
 (b) on Thursday 26th April at Ten o’clock and Two o’clock.—[Mr. Hurd.]

Committee rose at two minutes past Ten o’clock.